投稿日：2024年06月23日
Nestled deep in the mountains of western Japan, Tsuwano is not only renowned for its historical charm and natural beauty but also for its year-round events.
Each season brings its own unique festivals and cultural celebrations, offering visitors a chance to experience the rich traditions and community spirit of this enchanting town.
Here’s a guide to the key events throughout the year that make Tsuwano a must-visit destination for you.
❄⛄❄ Winter ❄⛄❄
New Year Celebrations
Welcoming the New Year in Tsuwano is a special experience!
During this period, the Taikodani Inari Shrine (along with other local temples and smaller shrines) hosts New Year’s rituals and celebrations. Stalls line up the street going up to Taikodani and visitors come to offer prayers for good fortune in the coming year, participate in the Joya no Kane (bell-ringing) ceremony, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Sake Brewing Experience (Jan–Feb)
Discover the art of sake brewing in Tsuwano with an immersive tour that unveils the rich traditions behind this iconic beverage. Experience firsthand the meticulous process of brewing sake, from the careful selection of rice and water to the fermentation and aging stages. Engage with expert brewers, taste a variety of sakes, and learn about the cultural significance of this revered drink, making for an unforgettable and educational experience.
The Sacred Foxes’ Hatsu’uma Pilgrimage (Start of Feb)
This Fox Festival of Taikodani Inari Shrine in Tsuwano is held in early February, celebrating Inari, the Shinto deity associated with agriculture, and foxes believed to be messengers and protectors of the shrine. Experience the fantastical scene of the fox procession, bringing ancient traditions to life in a truly magical celebration.
🌸🌱🌸 Spring 🌸🌱🌸
Sakura Cherry Blossom
(March-April)
Experience the enchantment of sakura in Tsuwano by strolling through picturesque streets and enjoy hanami (flower viewing) picnics in historic sites adorned with delicate blooms.
This magical time invites you to celebrate nature’s brilliance and immerse yourself in the tranquil charm of Tsuwano.
Yabusame: Traditional Horseback Archery
(1st Sunday of April)
Every year, people from across Japan, gather to watch the skilled archers from the 830-year-old Ogasawara School of Yabusame, showcase their precision and agility in this breathtaking ritual beneath the canopy of blossoming cherry trees.
This Spring ritual of Washibara Hachimangu Shrine, is held in the Yabusame riding grounds of the shrine, the only ones in Japan that preserve the ancient original layout seen in the 12th-century Kamakura period.
Witnessing this dynamic and vibrant ritual offers a unique glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage and provides an unforgettable experience for visitors.
🌻🍉🌻 Summer 🌻🍉🌻
Sagimai: The Heron Dance of Yasaka Jinja Shrine (July 20th & 27th)
Solemn chants, flutes, bells and drums accompany a male and female heron as they dance beneath the summer sky. It is said to have started in 1542, when it was introduced to Tsuwano from Kyoto via Yamaguchi.
In 2022, the Sagimai was registered on the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of the 41 “Furyu-odori” (Ritual Dances) and is a cherished summer tradition in Tsuwano.
Today it is recognized internationally as one of Japan’s representative classical performing arts.
Tsuwano Odori: Bon Dance
(Aug 10th-15th)
Immerse yourself in the slow rhythms of the Tsuwano Odori, a captivating dance performed in black hoods during the Obon* season in Tsuwano.
Discover the 400-year-old history behind these mysterious outfits and join the locals in the dance lessons that start several weeks before this period.
This unique cultural celebration offers a delightful opportunity to engage with Tsuwano’s rich heritage and enjoy a festive, communal atmosphere!
*Obon is a national Buddhist festival in August that commemorates the ancestors whose spirits are believed to temporarily return during this time.
🍁🍂🍁 Autumn 🍁🍂🍁
Tsuwano Imoni: Traditional Local Soup
(3rd Sunday of October)
Considered one of the “Three Great Imoni of Japan”, Tsuwano imoni is a type of traditional soup characterized by its simple but elegant taste of taro grown in the volcanic soil at the foot of Mt. Aono. It is added alongside sea bream into a broth made from kombu and yuzu peels.
Imoni celebrations are held in autumn in each district, and serve as a way to strengthen bonds in the community as locals gather around massive pots of soup to enjoy the scenery, drink local sake, sing and dance.
Unkai: A Spectacular Sea of Clouds from the Tsuwano Castle Ruins (Oct-Nov)
During Autumn, the Tsuwano ruins transform into a “Castle in the Sky” with the valleys below being filled with clouds, creating a phenomenon called unkai translated as “sea of clouds”. This lasts for a few hours at sunrise.
The chairlift opens early everyday during this special occasion.
All Year Round
Steam Locomotive (March-Nov)
The steam locomotive that operates between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano offers a nostalgic and scenic journey through the picturesque countryside of Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures.
This historic train provides passengers with a unique travel experience, reminiscent of the early 20th century.
Runs on weekends from March to November.
Iwami Kagura:
Traditional Performance of the Gods
(All year round)
Iwami Kagura is a traditional Japanese performing art from the Iwami region in Shimane, characterized by vibrant and dramatic dance performances. This folk theater combines dance, music, and elaborate costumes to depict mythical stories and historical legends, often involving gods, demons, and heroes. It features energetic and expressive movements, dynamic drum and flute music, and colorful masks, making it a captivating cultural experience that showcases the rich heritage of the Iwami region.
For more information, please contact
the Tsuwano Tourism Association at tsuwanok@tsuwano-kanko.net